Columbia Basin started the 2020 season playing solid baseball, going 7-5, including wins against top West Region teams Tacoma and Lower Columbia, before the season was stopped. They will look to get things going again in 2021 as they go up against a solid East Region.
This could be the year that Columbia Basin makes its mark in the East and challenges teams like Yakima and Spokane for leader of the region.
Head Coach: Stefan McGovern
Key Returning Position Players
Payton Kallaher – 1b – Kallaher has the ability to have a huge impact for Columbia Basin this year. As a + defender at 1b he helps to anchor the right side defensively. Offensively he has great power to all fields and will be key piece to Columbia Basin’s potential in 2021.
Adrian Crain – MIF – Crain will play 2b, SS, and 3b for Columbia Basis this year, and will hit in the middle of the lineup. He will be one of the team captains and leads by example with his high energy on the field. Defensively he has a great glove and offensively he runs well and shows great power to the opposite field.
Key Returning Pitchers
Jon Garza – Garza has a live arm with elite level secondary pitches. He should fit into the starting rotation for Columbia Basin.
Kirby Robertson – Robertson, a transfer from BYU, is a very crafty pitcher, who pounds the zone and can throw three pitches for strikes in any count. Look for him to be a part of the starting rotation.
Key Incoming Freshman
Landon Webb – SP – Webb will step into the starting rotation for Columbia Basin and could have a big impact on the depth of the starting rotation.
Alex Rodriguez – C – With next level bat speed and a great arm behind the plate, Rodriguez will split time at both catcher and DH this season.
Joe Rea – OF -Rea should be an everyday outfielder this season, and should hit near the middle of the lineup, as he constantly finds ways to find barrel and have great at bats.
2021 Expectations
“We’re looking forward to this season and giving guys opportunities to be seen by 4 year colleges, and just competing. It will be great to get the uniforms on and compete against other teams for the first time in awhile. We have a veteran team on offense/defense, but have a young team on the mound, so it should be fun to see how good they can be this season.” Head Coach Stefan McGovern